my dog keeps shaking his head
Everyone shakes their head from time to time without even thinking about it, because you have hair that irritates your ear, itches, or expels something that annoys you.
The same is true for dogs, and because dogs have larger ears with larger openings, this is often done to deal with an itch in or around the ear.
This is
completely normal and something you are likely to see your dog do every day -
if you are concerned - but if your dog is shaking their head frequently or
repeatedly or seems as if something is bothering them, this could indicate a
potential problem.
Some
causes of head shaking in dogs are minor and will go away on their own, while
others may indicate a problem that needs veterinary attention, either as a
secondary issue, or as a symptom of a more serious condition.
If
your dog simply shakes his head from time to time, or an immediate cause such
as it being rain this is not a problem. However, if you see your dog shaking
his head multiple times per day, this indicates that something is wrong.
One of the most likely causes of a tremor is an infection in one or both ears, such as a bacterial or even fungal infection.
This may not be apparent from
observation, as the infection is located deep inside the ear where it cannot be
seen.
Ear mites are also high on the list of causes for head shaking, and ear mites can be present in large numbers and invisible to the naked eye.
The ear mite may
affect one ear again, but it will quickly spread to the other, and it will be
itchy and irritating to the dog until it is treated.
Loud sounds affect people and dogs alike, and this is the sensation you may feel when taking off or landing in a plane.
This can lead to problems with balance
due to the way the ears relate to the general balance and orientation of the
body, and it could be caused by an infection or another minor problem.
Head
injuries can also cause head shaking, because there might be pain or something
else that could bother it. If your dog has had a head injury or an accident,
you should always seek help from a veterinarian.
Weird things in the ear - often small things like weed seeds - are another problem that usually affects dogs, especially those with large ear openings.
This is
more common in the spring than other times of the year, and again, you may not
know what the problem is until you get to your vet to take a look.
Deafness
that develops slowly and becomes more progressive may also cause head shaking,
as the dog tries to hear more clarity.
Many
of the problems mentioned above are naturally related to the ears, and the ear
canal is deep and dark, and difficult to see without the benefit of specialized
equipment.
If
the head shaking continues for more than two days, and also, if you have any
other concerns, make an appointment with your vet to see what can be done.
Key words:
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